Talks Resume In Auto Dispute

Talks resumed Friday between General Motors Corp. and union leaders over a strike that has nearly shut down the automaker’s North American operations.

The two sides last held informal talks Wednesday.

“Our priority remains to reach an equitable agreement as soon as possible so we can resume supply to our customers,” said GM spokesman Jim Hagedon.

The 11-day-old walkout by 2,700 workers at the two Delphi Chassis plants has forced GM to shut down 23 of its 29 North American assembly plants and 17 of its parts plants. Production at dozens of other parts plants was affected.

About 126,000 GM workers were laid off by the strike, and 8,200 at the company’s Saturn plant in Tennessee stopped production and turned to training sessions and maintenance work.